In this week’s post:
- Many automakers are recalibrating EV adoption.
- Are there upcoming improvements for the Ford Maverick hybrid?
The first question comes from a fan that feels that we’ve turned a corner with recalibrating EV adoption.
Q (via asknathan@TFLcar.com): Nathan, it’s time for carmakers to admit they need to start recalibrating EV adoption.
I’m not against adopting EVs in some cases and I don’t use electrification as a political tool. But I think it’s high time we admit that the push to adopt EVs has hurt many automakers because demand is down. You can’t shove EVs down people’s throat and expect everyone to swallow. Until there is a better grid and way more chargers, they should slow the push for EVs down. I know it’s up to federal and state rules.
Places like California are already lost in red tape. You mentioned that they have a terrible infrastructure for EVs and I agree. I see more houses in Texas, Arizona and Colorado with real solar than California. Ask me why, it’s because California seems to kill all incentives for home electrification. Why would I want a EV when charging it at home costs so much? It makes no sense!
I agree with you that it’s not the car’s fault. The ionic5 and GM charging proved to me that they can juice up quickly but that’s only when the charger is capable of doing it.
All of these mandates for EVs is just causing pain for owners and the people who build the cars. It’s proven that hybrids and plug in hybrids are just about as clean. I think you were 100% right about Toyota sticking to their guns. Give the people choice and see what happens!
– No.Mojung
A: Yes, I think Toyota was on-point from the beginning, but there’s something to be said about “partial” adoption.
In my position, I’m lucky enough to see both sides of the argument. While I try to stay away from the political arguments, it’s nearly impossible. I see why having a greener agenda makes sense, and I can see how it hurts.
With that being said, I think we’re still at the crawling stage of EV adoption. Think of it like America around 1914. There were already a lot of cars, but only a handful of gas stations. Steam cars were still competitive, and there were some EVs – even back then. Still, with time and heavy adoption of internal combustion, the number of gas stations exploded (no pun…) by the end of First World War.
I think we’re at the tipping point for more usable chargers, but we have a long way to go. Right now, public chargers (even Tesla chargers) offer no shelter, amenities (like bathrooms and snacks) and there’s not even a squeegee to clean your glass. Sure – there may be a Walmart or Starbucks nearby, but that’s not the same thing.
In addition: you’re right about California. The folks who are pushing adoption hardest, handcuff their consumers by maintaining electricity rates that are extremely high. In addition, there is very little incentive to invest in solar. Out of all the states, California is a poor example of nurturing their EV adopters.
Hopefully, things will change.
For a time, I lived the EV lifestyle with our third car being a used EV (Nissan Leaf). For a city commuter, and a first car for my teen – it was outstanding. In three years, I saved thousands on fuel and upkeep. All I needed was tires and washer fluid. Still, I needed a regular internal-combustion vehicle for any long distance driving. I think a hybrid or PHEV would certainly work as well, but (for my family) having an EV made some sense.
In time, battery tech and the charging infrastructure will improve. By then, we may have a workable balance of EVs and electrically enhanced vehicles that are super clean. At least, one would hope.
– N
p.s. I know it’s a brief video, but this EV is the first “fun EV” I’ve driven.
The next question is about the Ford Maverick hybrid.
Q (via: Twitter/X @NathanAdlen)
Hi Nathan.
I have a 2022 Ford Maverick hybrid with 60,200 miles on the odometer. So I have had four recalls since I bought it even though there was never an issue. It always drove good and my gas mileage is fabulous. I was wondering if they fixed these issues or are more to come. Can you tell me about future Mavericks?
– Randy_Ranger99
A: I believe there have been five recalls for the Ford Maverick, and Maverick hybrid since production began.
Some recalls were about the instrument panel clusters that might be unreadable in the dark. A recent one for the Bronco Sport and Maverick regarding the power control module. Here’s that link. Others were about possible fuel leaks because of the bed liner install. A recent one is about the (Escape and Maverick) hybrid powertrain that might lose power.
Yes, there have been some recalls, but that’s actually a good thing in my book. Knowing that there’s an issue and quickly fixing it makes me feel better as a consumer. Especially when other automakers try to cover failures up. I would rather be inconvenienced by the truth, than hurt by a coverup.
I’m hoping that the next batch of Mavericks have these issues sorted. Still, you should keep an eye on what Ford does to fix this issue, and make the next version better.
Speaking of the next Maverick: there are a few things. If you look at this post, you’ll find the newest rumors and rumblings about the next generation Ford Maverick. In it, you’ll see some mentions of a possible AWD hybrid, and a rumored PHEV – among other things.
– N
Speaking of Ford…
